OUR OPINION: Shift ban on texting into high gear

OUR OPINION: Shift ban on texting into high gear

Last week's blizzard curbed state Senate action on a bill to expand the prohibition on texting while driving in Missouri.

Now that streets have been cleared and the legislative session has reopened, it's time for lawmakers to shift this proposal into high gear.

Senators last week gave first round approval to a measure prohibiting all motorists from texting - or, in the language of lawmakers, sending and reading text messages on hand-held communications devices while driving.

The proposal would expand the prohibition that now covers only those drivers under age 21.

While it may be ironic that the existing law applies only to the group of people perhaps most adept at the practice, it also indicates the overall danger of the texting while driving.

In the realm of driver distractions, texting ranks near the top.

Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City, cited a Car and Driver report that found texting while driving three times more dangerous than driving at the legal intoxication limit of .08 percent blood alcohol content.

In addition, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation website, www.distraction.gov: